A new scam using the BBB name popped up this morning, and has been received by consumers and businesses across the U.S. and Canada, including many BBB offices.

How the Scam Works:

Two versions of the email have been received. One claims to be following up on a complaint filed with BBB, the other is asking for updated contact information “as a service to BBB Accredited Businesses.”

Both are good fakes – they use correct grammar and follow formats often used by BBB, so they look quite realistic. Both refer the recipient to an online form, and the address appears to be that of a local BBB. However, if you hover your mouse over the web address (the part that begins with http), you can see that the real address is not BBB at all. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK! The link actually takes you to a rogue website that downloads a Trojan virus on your computer.

BBB is working with a professional deactivation service to take down the websites that are spreading the malware, and we have reported the incident to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Consumers are urged to delete suspicious emails and keep their anti-virus software up-to-date at all times.

Example of the Phishing Email:

Thank you for supporting your Better Business Bureau (BBB).

As a service to BBB Accredited Businesses, we try to ensure that the information we provide to potential customers is as accurate as possible. In order for us to provide the correct information to the public, we ask that you review the information that we have on file for your company.

We encourage you to use our ONLINE FORM to provide us with this updated information. The URL below will take you directly to this form on our website:

http://app.alaskaoregonwesternwashington.bbb.org/sbq [LINK REMOVED]
(UserID: 882600422 Password: mcvn34JDF3r54f)

You may also complete the form on the reverse side of this letter and mail to PO Box 1000; DuPont, WA; 98327; or fax to (206)436-5496.

Please look carefully at your telephone and fax numbers on this sheet, and let us know any and all numbers used for your business (including 800, 900, rollover, and remote call forwarding). Our automated system is driven by telephone/fax numbers, so having accurate information is critical for consumers to find information about your business easily.

Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to receiving this updated information.

Sincerely,

Accreditation Services

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2012 Torch Awards, to be held 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., April 26 at the Starr Pass Resort in Tucson.

Finalists for this year’s awards were selected by two panels of judges independent of BBB, representing both non-profit and for-profit organizations in Southern Arizona.

This year BBB is honoring a total of nine companies in three award categories:

Ethics Award: Honors a business for its trustworthy and honorable business practices in four primary categories. The nominated business maintains a solid commitment to ethical business practices in every aspect of its operation. This award is open to any for-profit company in southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB. Finalists for the award are:

• Empire Today
• REALM Environments
• McCaleb Construction

Good Neighbor Award: Recognizes a company that has shown a commitment to making southern Arizona a better place through community service. The nominated business and employees play a significant role in support of local charities or community service projects. This award is open to any for-profit business in Southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB. Finalists for the award are:

• AGM Container Controls
• Snell & Wilmer, LLP
• Golden Eagle Distributors

Customer Excellence Award: The nominated business has an outstanding customer service program and a history of exceeding customers’ expectations. This award is open only to BBB Accredited Businesses in southern Arizona. Finalists for the award are:

• Bill’s Home Service
• Rite-Way Ventilating Company
• Temperature-Control, Inc.

Winners and two finalists in each category will be named at the awards luncheon on April 26. If you would like to reserve a seat or table for this event please call (520)888-6161, or visit www.tucson.bbb.org/torchawards for more information. Reservations must be received by April 20.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is issuing an urgent scam alert cautioning businesses and consumers about an email that is purporting to be from BBB about a complaint concerning an “unauthorized transaction.”

The email contains the following text:

“Dear business owner, we have obtained several complaints via the Better Business Bureau online complaint center concerning several unauthorized transaction from a number of private bank accounts to your corporate account. You can view the complaints in our online complaint center using the following link: (link deleted by BBB).”

Some consumers and business report receiving upwards of 50 of these emails in the past 24 hours. The email contains a dangerous link and bogus sign in information. This is a scam – BBB does not accept or send complaints concerning private financial transactions with a bank.

Should you receive such an email, please disregard its message, and forward any information received to phishing@council.bbb.org, and then delete it.  If you have clicked on the link, immediately do a virus scan.